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Christmas Markets on the Rhine with Amawaterways
Nov 25 - Dec 8, 2027
- About This Journey
Seven nights of glühwein, good company, and the most magical markets in Europe
There's a particular kind of joy that only arrives in December in Europe - the glow of a Christmas Market at dusk, the smell of cinnamon and roasting chestnuts, cobblestones dusted with frost, and a warm mug pressed between cold hands. This journey is built around chasing that feeling from Amsterdam all the way to Basel.
Aboard the AmaSofia, your group moves through some of the Rhine's most storied towns - Cologne's cathedral square, the vineyard terraces of Rüdesheim, Strasbourg's centuries-old Christkindelsmärik, and medieval Colmar - with every excursion, meal, and glass of Riesling already taken care of.
The best part? You're doing it with people you actually want to be with. The river handles the rest.
Itinerary
Thu, Nov 25: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Fri, Nov 26: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sat, Nov 27: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sun, Nov 28: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Mon, Nov 29: Düsseldorf, Germany
Tue, Nov 30: Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany
Wed, Dec 1: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Thu, Dec 2: Strasbourg, France
Fri, Dec 3: Breisach, Germany
Sat, Dec 4: Basel, Switzerland
Sun, Dec 5: Lake Lucerne
Mon, Dec 6: Lake Lucerne
Tue, Dec 7: Zürich, Switzerland
Wed, Dec 8: Zürich, Switzerland
Full Itinerary
What's Included
Elegant Staterooms
Elegantly appointed accommodations with marble bathrooms, multi-jet showers, bathrobes, slippers, and panoramic views of the passing riverbank.
Fine Dining & Open Bar
Multiple dining venues including The Chef's Table, with unlimited hand-selected wines, beers, and soft drinks included at every lunch and dinner.
Guided Shore Excursions
Small-group excursions at every port - from market walks and vineyard tastings to gondola rides, hikes, and bike tours — with multiple options daily.
Wellness & Entertainment
A professionally trained Wellness Host leads daily activities. Onboard: heated pool, walking track, fitness room, hair salon, and live local entertainment.
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the voyage, plus Entertainment-On-Demand with movies, music, and English-language television in every stateroom.
The AmaSofia
76 staterooms across three decks -Violin, Cello, and Piano - including suites with French and outside balconies. Crew of 51 for 154 guests.
Day by Day
Seven nights well celebrated
The AmaSofia traces the Rhine from Amsterdam south through Germany and Alsace to Basel — a natural arc through the heart of Europe's Christmas Market country.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Embarkation
Board the AmaSofia and settle in. The journey begins here on the canals of Amsterdam.
Amsterdam · Utrecht
Canal Cruise & Utrecht
A morning canal cruise through Amsterdam's 165 waterways, then on to Utrecht — choose a walking tour of its charming streets or a local beer tasting.
Choice of tours
Düsseldorf · Cologne, Germany
Cologne's Cathedral & Christmas Markets
Scenic cruising into Düsseldorf, then a guided tour of Cologne's enchanting Old Town — the Rathaus, the Fishmarkt, and one of Europe's largest Christmas Markets beneath its UNESCO Gothic cathedral.
Christmas Markets
Rhine Gorge · Rüdesheim, Germany
Castle Country & Vineyard Tastings
Drift through the castle-laden Rhine Gorge before reaching Rüdesheim. Wine tasting and market visit, gondola ride over the vineyards, vineyard hike, or a guided bike tour of the Rheingau — your choice.
Scenic cruising
Christmas Markets
Ludwigshafen · Heidelberg, Germany
Heidelberg Castle & Speyer
Choose between Heidelberg — its mighty castle, the Hauptstrasse, and festive markets — a hike along the Philosopher's Path, cycling to medieval Ladenburg, or exploring Speyer's UNESCO Romanesque cathedral.
Christmas Markets
Strasbourg, France · Baden-Baden, Germany
The Capital of Noël
Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik has run since 1570 — the oldest Christmas Market in France. Wander the Grande Île UNESCO district, La Petite France, and the cathedral. Evening option: Baden-Baden's romantic markets.
Oldest market in France
Breisach · Colmar, France
Half-Timbered Colmar
Journey into medieval Colmar — cobblestone streets, a whimsical Alsatian blend of French and German culture, and wonderful Christmas Markets. Or cycle through Breisach's wine country.
Christmas Markets
Basel, Switzerland
Disembarkation
Bid farewell to the AmaSofia in Basel — or continue the holiday magic with an optional post-cruise land package through Lake Lucerne and Zurich.
Land package available
Optional Add-Ons
Pre-Cruise: Amsterdam
2 nights · Pre-cruise
Arrive early and settle into Amsterdam properly — a guided walking tour of the canal city, daily breakfast, and transfers to the ship included.
Included in sailing
Post-Cruise: Zurich & Lake Lucerne
4 nights · Post-cruise
Two nights in Lake Lucerne with a walking tour, Christmas Markets, and a scenic lake cruise. Then two nights in Zurich for Europe's largest indoor Christmas Market and a city tour of its historic Old Town.
From $2,160 per person
The early booking reward is generous
Reserve by June 30, 2026 and save $1,000 per person and gratuities are included. Or choose the complimentary Amsterdam pre-cruise package with $500 per person savings.
Save 50% off of your deposit per person - normally $400/person
Save an additional 5% off with this exclusive offerTrip at a Glance
Cruise
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Dates
Nov 27 – Dec 4, 2027
Route
Amsterdam → Basel
Vessel
AmaSofia (AmaWaterways)
Duration
7 nights
Early Bird Deadline
June 30, 2026
Your Advisor
Dawn Guckavan
Platinum Travel
CALIFORNIA CST : 2063964-50
FLORIDA CST: ST17873
WASHINGTON CST: 602232785
dawn@platinumta.com
9049146405